With the new year underway, Allegany, Steuben and Livingston counties are all under winter storm warnings.

The National Weather Service (NWS)?in Buffalo Wednesday said the warning will be in effect in Allegany County through 6 a.m. Friday.

“The warning will cover snow and blowing snow,” said Meteorologist Shawn Smith. “The overall accumulation (through Friday morning) is between 7 and 14 inches of snow across Allegany County, maybe as much as 4-8 inches (today).”

Drivers should be aware of slippery roads, Smith said.

“Snow also brings reduced visibility, which makes for difficult travel,”?he added. “Wind chill temperatures we’re expecting mainly tonight to be down to 20 or 25 degrees below 0. We also have a wind chill advisory in effect in addition to the winter storm warning. We have the wind chill advisory in effect until noon on Friday.

“There’s a storm system. It’s going to be sliding south of New York state. It will eventually shift off the East Coast tonight,”?Smith said. “On Friday, we’re going to see the actual storm system tapering off. By the time the weekend gets here, there will probably be a short break in snowfall activity.”

Smith said high temperatures in the single digits are predicted Friday for Allegany County. Highs should be in the mid 20s Saturday, then above freezing (32 degrees) on Sunday. Lows are expected to be closer to minus 2 degrees tonight, minus 4 Friday and 20 Saturday.

The outlook for Livingston County is generally similar to Allegany County, Smith said.

“The warning that’s in effect for Allegany County ... Livingston County is included in that,” he said. Smith said according to the NWS in Binghamton, which covers Steuben County, a winter storm warning will last until 10 a.m. Friday in that county.

“Steuben’s a little further east from?Allegany County so they’re (the NWS?in Binghamton)?thinking the snow is going to take a little longer to taper off,”?Smith said. “Their warning is only calling for 6-12 inches. They don’t have a wind chill advisory, but they do have wind chills mentioned in their warning. It’s still going to be very cold. “

Smith said the wind chill could be as low as 25 degrees below zero in?Steuben County through 10 a.m. Friday.

As a pair of winter storms head for New York state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is urging downstate commuters to leave their cars home in case major highways are closed for this evening’s rush hour.

In a conference call Wednesday, Cuomo told reporters a storm system approaching from the west could drop a foot of snow on upstate New York — while a coastal storm may bring heavy snow to New York City and blizzard conditions to Long Island.

Cuomo said "mass transportation is a prudent option, given that highways may be closed." As the snow tapers off early Friday, Cuomo said brutal cold may complicate cleanup efforts. The National Weather Service says wind-chill temperatures may dip to 30 degrees below zero in northern New York.